1

Police Administration Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Lateral Police Officer

Durango, CO ยท On-site

$31.94/hr

Police Administration - 4210 Opening Date: 01/23/2025 Schedule Details:: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Rotating shift work; weekends and holidays Description The Durango Police Department is ...

Police Officer Trainee

Durango, CO ยท On-site

$26.40/hr

Police Administration - 4210 Opening Date: 05/18/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Schedule Details:: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Rotating shift work; weekends and holidays Description Your journey to ...

Reporting directly to the Town Manager, the Chief of Police will provide strategic leadership for all department operations, including patrol, investigations, administration, records, code ...

New

Associate degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or related field preferred. Graduation from police academy (Colorado POST certified) or currently in academy.

Police Officer

Edgewater, CO ยท On-site

$73K - $109K/yr

Associate degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or related field preferred. โ€ข Graduation from police academy (Colorado POST certified) or currently in academy. Salary Description $73 ...

Police Officer

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$73K - $109K/yr

Associate degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or related field preferred. ยท Graduation from police academy (Colorado POST certified) or currently in academy.

Lateral Police Officer

Durango, CO ยท On-site

$31.94/hr

Description The Durango Police Department is accepting applications from experienced law ... Enhance school safety and assist administration with safety practices. Educate students, parents ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Police Administration information

See Colorado salary details

$21.6K

$57.4K

$106.2K

How much do police administration jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for police administration in Colorado is $57,397.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,100.00 and $76,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a police administration?

A Police Administration job involves overseeing the operations, policies, and procedures of a law enforcement agency. Professionals in this role manage budgets, coordinate department activities, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. They may also handle hiring, training, and community relations to improve public safety efforts. This position is essential for maintaining efficient police services and supporting officers in their duties.

How much do police administrators make?

Police administrators typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, location, and department size. Higher-level positions such as police chiefs can earn significantly more, often exceeding $150,000 annually. These roles often require leadership skills, a background in law enforcement, and relevant certifications.

What are some common challenges faced in a police administration role?

A key challenge in Police Administration is managing diverse administrative tasks while ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal protocols. Professionals often handle scheduling, budget oversight, records management, and coordination between various law enforcement teams, requiring strong multitasking and prioritization abilities. Additionally, adapting to frequent updates in technology and departmental procedures can be demanding. However, these challenges provide valuable opportunities to develop leadership and organizational skills, setting the stage for career growth within law enforcement agencies.

What do police administrators do?

Police administrators oversee the operations and management of police departments, including developing policies, managing personnel, budgeting, and ensuring community safety. They often coordinate with other law enforcement agencies and require strong leadership, communication skills, and knowledge of law enforcement procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in police administration, and why are they important?

To thrive in Police Administration, you need strong organizational, leadership, and analytical skills, typically supported by a degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with law enforcement software systems, budgeting tools, and records management platforms is often required. Effective communication, problem-solving, and the ability to manage sensitive information discreetly are standout soft skills for this position. These capabilities are critical to ensure smooth department operations, maintain legal compliance, and support strategic decision-making within law enforcement agencies.

What are popular job titles related to Police Administration jobs in Colorado? For Police Administration jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Police Administration jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Police Administration job openings:
Infographic showing various Police Administration job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,397 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Lateral Police Officer

City of Durango, CO

Durango, CO โ€ข On-site

$31.94/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Salary: $31.94 Hourly
Location : Durango, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2024-00170
Department: Police
Division: Police Administration - 4210
Opening Date: 01/23/2025
Schedule Details:: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Rotating shift work; weekends and holidays
Description
The Durango Police Department is accepting applications from experienced law enforcement professionals to join our team as Lateral Police Officers. This role involves a wide range of responsibilities, including enforcing laws, preventing crime, protecting lives and property, and delivering exceptional public service. Lateral Police Officers may also be assigned to specialized duties such as community policing, investigations, saturation patrols, or other impactful programs that enhance safety and community trust.
Starting salary is dependent on experience. We offer a lateral entry program for officers who are certified by the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) or possess equivalent certifications from other states that meet Colorado P.O.S.T. criteria. To recognize and reward experience, we also provide competitive bonuses:
  • $3,000 bonus for officers with 1-3 years of experience
  • $6,000 for officers with 3 or more years of experience

Join the Durango Police Department to make a meaningful difference in our community while advancing your career in law enforcement!
About the Department:
Our mission is to improve community safety and quality of life by reducing crime and its perception. We are committed to serving our diverse community with respect, dignity, integrity, and the utmost moral and ethical character. Driven by the ambition to become the premier law enforcement agency in the southwest region of Colorado, we leverage innovation and cutting-edge technologies. We focus on developing, retaining, and investing in the success of our team members. Through community engagement, we collaborate with citizens and local partners to address issues and improve quality of life, making Durango the best place to live, work, and play.
City of Durango's Trail to Excellence
The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.
At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the of providing excellent service and reaching the city's vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the
As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:
  • Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
  • The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
  • You'll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.
We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing - and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.
Essential Job Duties
What You'll Do in This Role:
  • Patrol designated areas of the City to maintain law and order, prevent crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; check buildings for physical security.
  • Respond to emergencies, including personal and property crimes such as assaults, traffic accidents, burglaries, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, and related incidents.
  • Collect and process evidence such as fingerprints, fibers, and blood; photograph and preserve evidence to support crime investigations.
  • Enforce traffic laws; monitor speeds with radar; issue warnings and citations.
  • Interview suspects, victims, and witnesses in the field.
  • Document activities through detailed reports and proper preservation of evidence.
  • Arrest and process prisoners, conduct intoxilyzer tests, and manage prisoner bookings and transfers.
  • Serve warrants, conduct police raids, and perform bar checks.
  • Provide accurate and credible testimony in judicial proceedings.
  • Participate in department-sponsored training programs.

Special Assignments
Traffic and Accident Reconstruction Unit
  • Enforce traffic codes and investigate traffic accidents.
  • Identify and address traffic trouble areas through surveys and statistical analysis.
  • Conduct focused traffic enforcement in problem areas identified by citizen reports or crime data.
School Resource Officer Unit:
  • Build partnerships and trust with students and school staff.
  • Enhance school safety and assist administration with safety practices.
  • Educate students, parents, and staff about law enforcement and serve as a positive role model.
  • Provide counseling to students and staff as needed.
  • Organize and deliver educational programs and events for schools in the district.

Minimum Qualifications
You Have:
  • A valid driver's license and Police Officer Standards and Testing (POST) certificate.
  • The ability to pass pre-employment and post-offer testing, including a background investigation, drug screen, and psychological exam.
  • Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, and techniques, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation, and identification techniques.
  • Skill in analyzing situations quickly, making sound judgment, and taking decisive action in high-pressure environments.
  • Proficiency operating all police-related equipment, including but not limited to personal computers, communication equipment, cameras, firearms, radios, alcohol detection devices, speed detection devices, and emergency vehicles.
  • Understanding of criminal law, procedure, and evidence rules, as well as state and local laws and ordinances.
  • Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to de-escalate tense situations.

Supplemental Information
What We Can Offer You:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays
  • 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan
  • Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Paid FMLA
  • Commitment to employee wellness:
    • Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Resiliency Program: Offers guidance, coaching, and confidential support for mental well-being. Earn 8 hours of PTO for each bi-annual counseling session attended.
    • Free access to Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Ice Rink and Ski Area
    • Participation in holistic Employee Wellness Program
  • Free transit pass and family member discounts
  • Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning
  • Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations

To view the full job description, click here.
Belong at the City of Durango:
We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.
The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
City of Durango's Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental & vision insurance, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and paid time off.
To learn more details, visit our
01
Do you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have a valid Police Officer Standards and Testing (POST) certificate for the State of Colorado?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Have you been previously employed by the City of Durango?
  • Yes
  • No

04
If you answered yes, provide previous City positions and approximate dates for those positions.
05
Do you have any relatives who currently work for the City of Durango?
  • Yes
  • No

06
If you answered yes, provide your relative's name, the department they work in, and their relationship to you.
07
Have you ever been convicted of a crime, including misdemeanors, deferred sentences/judgements?
  • Yes
  • No

08
If you answered yes to having been convicted, you are REQUIRED to provide DATE(S) and DESCRIPTION(S) of offense(s) below.
Required Question